If you’re a website owner, there are privacy laws you must follow but where do you begin? How do you know what data your website is collecting?
Trust me, I get it. The whole world of GDPR, CCPA, and cookie consent can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. And with fines for non-compliance reaching into the millions, it’s not something you can afford to ignore.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a technical expert or hire an expensive consultant to get this right. This is where cookie consent plugins come in.
I’ve tried a bunch of GDPR and cookie consent plugins. In this post, I’m going to show you the only cookie consent plugin you’ll need for your WordPress site. No fluff, no complex jargon – just straight talk about how to protect your site and your peace of mind.
After that, I’ll give you a few alternative options as well so you have choices. Let’s get started.
Here’s a table of contents to help you navigate this guide easily.
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That said, let’s start with the essentials you need in a cookie consent plugin.
What to Look For in a Cookie Consent Plugin?
A cookie consent plugin will display a banner or popup on your site like this:
But cookie consent goes way beyond this display. You have to make sure you don’t collect any data before the user gives their consent.
So before you choose a plugin, let’s be sure about what matters in keeping your site safe and legal.
A good cookie consent plugin isn’t just about showing a pretty popup on your site. It needs to do the heavy lifting of protecting visitor privacy and keeping you on the right side of laws like GDPR and CCPA.
The first thing you want? A plugin that automatically scans and blocks cookies. Think about it – if cookies load before your visitors say “yes,” you’re already breaking the rules. Your plugin needs to stop those cookies in their tracks until visitors give the green light.
Next up is making it look good and work well. Your cookie banner should fit your site’s style, but here’s the real key: visitors need to understand what they’re agreeing to. If they can’t figure out your cookie settings, they’ll probably just leave – and that’s bad for business.
Here’s something most people forget about: consent logging. If someone ever questions whether you’re following the rules, you need proof. Your plugin should keep records of who agreed to what, when they agreed, and make it easy for you to pull up that info when needed.
Last but not least, think about the tech stuff. Your plugin shouldn’t slow down your site or clash with your other plugins. Plus, it definitely needs regular updates to keep up with new privacy laws and WordPress changes.
Keeping these points in mind, the WP101 team has tried and tested a bunch of cookie consent plugins and we landed on the best one – WPConsent.
What is WPConsent?
WPConsent is the best WordPress cookie consent plugin that makes privacy compliance simple. It’s built specifically for WordPress users who want something that just works, without needing to hire a developer or learn a bunch of legal jargon.
Once installed, it automatically scans your site for cookies, sets up the right consent notices, and keeps track of everything. You can edit the content and style your banner and buttons according to what you need.
Unlike other plugins that just slap a banner on your site and call it a day, WPConsent actually does the work of protecting your visitors’ privacy. It blocks scripts until you get consent (which is what the law actually requires), and it does this without breaking your site or slowing things down.
The best part? It’s built by the same folks behind WPBeginner – the biggest WordPress resource site out there. They’ve been around for years and know exactly what WordPress users need. That’s why WPConsent works right out of the box, with settings that make sense for regular website owners.
Let’s dive into the features that make this plugin worth your attention.
Key Features That Make WPConsent Stand Out
Let me break down the features that make WPConsent different from other cookie plugins out there. But instead of just listing features, I’ll tell you why each one matters for your site.
1. Easy-to-Use Cookie Banner Builder
WPConsent comes with a point-and-click banner builder that actually makes sense. You get:
- Multiple pre-made layouts that look professional
- Color pickers to match your brand
- Different positions (top or bottom)
- Mobile-friendly designs that don’t annoy visitors
The best part? You can preview your changes in real-time. No more saving and refreshing to see if your banner looks right.
2. Automatic Script Blocking
This is the feature that keeps you legal. WPConsent automatically:
- Finds all the scripts running on your site
- Blocks them until visitors give consent
- Manages popular tools like Google Analytics
- Handles Facebook Pixel, WooCommerce, WPForms, TikTok, Pinterest, and other WordPress plugins and marketing tools
You don’t need to touch a line of code. The plugin handles everything in the background.
4. Complete Consent Logging System
Here’s something most cookie plugins don’t tell you: you need proof of consent. WPConsent keeps records of:
- Who gave consent
- What they agreed to
- When they agreed
All this data along with their IP address is stored right on your server, where you control it. If someone asks for proof of compliance, you’ve got it ready to go.
5. Smart Geolocation Rules
Different countries have different rules. WPConsent handles this by making it easy to:
- Detect where your visitors are from
- Show the right consent notices for their location
- Adjust settings based on local laws
- Customize rules by region
This means you’re not bothering US visitors with EU-specific notices they don’t need to see.
6. Self-Hosted Privacy Solution
Unlike cloud-based solutions, WPConsent runs entirely on your server. This means:
- Better security with complete control over your data
- Faster loading times
- Better privacy for your visitors
Plus, updates are included with your license, so you’re always current with new privacy laws.
Want to see how easy it is to set this up on your site? Let’s move on to the installation guide.
How to Set Up WPConsent (Step-by-Step)
Let me walk you through setting up WPConsent. I’m going to go through the main points here, but if you want a detailed tutorial, then head over here: How to Add Cookie Consent to Your WordPress Site.
I’ve broken it down into simple steps, and I’ll share some helpful tips along the way to make sure you get it right the first time.
Step 1: Install and Activate
First things first, head over to the WPConsent website.
Choose your plan and sign up for an account. Then you’ll get access to your own dashboard. You’ll see options to copy your license key and download the plugin file.
Now, log into your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins » Add New.
See that Upload Plugin button at the top? Click it, choose the WPConsent file you just downloaded, and hit Install Now.
After it’s installed, don’t forget to click Activate.
Now, head over to the WPConsent » Settings page and paste your license key here.
Now you’re ready to set up your consent cookies.
Step 2: Run Your First Scan
WPConsent will launch a setup wizard. If you don’t see it, look for WPConsent in your WordPress admin menu and click on it to open up the plugin dashboard. You should see the launch wizard here.
Once you start the wizard, you’ll see a big “Scan Your Website” button on the dashboard.
The scan will take about 2-3 minutes to thoroughly check your site. This scan is crucial because it finds all the cookies and scripts running on your site, even ones you might not know about.
Once it’s done, take a good look at what it found. You might be surprised at how many cookies your site is using.
I’m using a test environment for this tutorial so the scan found just 2 services that set 6 cookies. Click on ‘Ok’ to move on to the detailed scan results.
In the sample scan results below, we can see that cookies are being used for login and comments. We’ll simply choose the default settings here and click on the ‘Auto-Configure Selected’ button.
Now you can set up your cookie banner and style it to match your website’s theme.
Step 3: Set Up Your Cookie Banner
WPConsent will give you layout options to choose from. These include Long banner, Floating banner, and Modal banner.
You’ll see a preview of the banner as well and you can Save & Complete Setup here.
If you want to change the colors, content, and style of the text and buttons, there’s a shortcut here right under the blue button called ‘Further Configure Banner Styles’.
You can also access these customization options under WPConsent » Banner Design in the left WordPress menu.
Here you can change the layout, style, and content. Make sure you save your changes when you’re done.
Here’s a sample banner you can create:
Now that was quick and easy. What I love is that the developers of this plugin have been really helpful in explaining every feature here. So even if you’re new to cookies, you’ll find it easy to set it up without worrying about the technical jargon.
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There’s a 14-day money back guarantee so you can get started with peace of mind.
Pricing and Plans
WPConsent plans start at $49.50 per year. It includes unlimited page views and website scans. Is it worth it? Yes!
For the cost of a few cups of coffee per month, you’re protected from privacy headaches and can focus on growing your business instead.
If you’re running a small site or you’re on a tight budget, then I recommend checking out the lite version that’s available for free in the WordPress.org plugin repository.
Money-Back Guarantee
Not sure yet? WPConsent offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. Try it out, and if it doesn’t work for you, they’ll refund your purchase – no questions asked.
That said, you may also want to look at some alternatives next.
Alternative Cookie Consent Plugins
While WPConsent is my top recommendation, it’s always wise to see what else is out there. Here’s a look at other options and why you might (or might not) want to consider them.
CookieYes
CookieYes is a popular choice with a freemium model. The free version gives you basic banner functionality which is great for basic needs. It comes with a clean interface and good documentation.
The downside is that the pricing is based on the number of pages scanned. On the free plan, you can scan up to 100 pages. The more pages you have, the higher the pricing.
Complianz
Another well-known option in the WordPress space. They offer both free and premium versions.
What I like is that they have solid documentation, regular updates, and good integration with popular plugins. You can configure banners for specific regions like European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, South Africa, Brazil or Canada. Or use one Cookie Notice worldwide.
What I didn’t like is the setup can be confusing especially if you’re new to this and it can get a bit pricey as you grow.
Cookie Notice
This is one of the most downloaded free plugins The free version is truly free, easy to set up, and light on resources but that’s about it. It offers very basic functionality.
With the WordPress plugin, you can display the banner and link it to your privacy policy page. There’s no automatic script blocking, or consent logging, and the customization options are limited. You need to sign up for the web application to get these features.
Why I Still Recommend WPConsent
After testing all these alternatives, here’s why I stick with WPConsent:
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- It’s more complete out of the box
- There are no limits on the number of pages, pageviews, or scans
- It’s 100% self-hosted which is better for security and privacy
- It automatically blocks scripts
- You don’t need to piece together features from different plans
- Support is consistently responsive
- Updates are regular and meaningful
- The price is actually better when you consider all features
- If you run an eCommerce store, the setup is automatic
Remember: a free plugin might save you money today, but it could cost you more in the long run – either in time spent configuring it or in compliance issues.
Ready to dive into some common questions about cookie consent? Let’s move on to the FAQ section.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cookie Consent
Let me answer the most common questions I get about WPConsent and cookie consent in general.
Do I really need a cookie consent plugin?
If your website has visitors from the EU, California, or most developed countries – yes, you absolutely do. It’s not just about the cookies themselves; it’s about giving visitors control over their data. Even if you’re not actively collecting data, tools like Google Analytics, Facebook pixels, and even contact forms usually set cookies. Better safe than sorry with privacy laws.
Which privacy laws and regulations can I use WPConsent for?
The WPConsent plugin addresses a wide array of cookie law, data protection, and privacy regulations. This includes GDPR, CCPA, and Privacy Act Compliance.
Will this slow down my website?
WPConsent is designed to have minimal impact on your site speed. It’s built with industry standards and best practices so you shouldn’t face any website performance issues.
What happens if I already have another cookie plugin installed?
You’ll want to deactivate your old cookie plugin before installing WPConsent. Running multiple cookie consent plugins can cause conflicts and might actually break your cookie blocking. WPConsent includes a migration tool that helps transfer your settings from some popular plugins.
Do I need to update my privacy policy when using WPConsent?
Yes, but WPConsent makes this easier by giving you a list of all cookies it finds on your site. You should include this information in your privacy policy. However, the plugin isn’t a replacement for a proper privacy policy – make sure you have one in place.
What if my site uses custom scripts?
WPConsent handles custom scripts well. The scanner will detect them, and you can manually add any it misses. You get full control over when and how these scripts load. If you’re using unique or complex scripts, contact their support team to see if they can help you set up proper blocking.
What happens to my consent logs if I change plugins later?
All consent logs are stored in your WordPress database and can be exported anytime. Even if you decide to switch plugins later, you won’t lose your compliance records. This is a big advantage over cloud-based solutions where you might lose access to historical data.
Ready to get started?
Remember, proper privacy compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines – it’s about respecting your visitors and building trust. WPConsent helps you do both without the headache.
Next, you may also find this WordPress security checklist helpful as well as our Ultimate WordPress Toolkit that has all our favorite tools, themes, and hosting you may need to grow your website.
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